What Are Heavy Metals:  Does Detox Work?  

Introduction 

Are you feeling some symptoms that might be a threat of getting exposed to heavy metals?  While you might be aware of what’s causing your fatigue or headache, there’s no easy way to detect this kind of toxin.  One of the most reliable ways to detect it is through blood work or urine analysis. 

Heavy metals pose a threat to our health.  The high accumulation of heavy metals in your body can lead to various illnesses.  

Heavy Metals Are All Around Us

Everywhere you go, you run the risk of being exposed to high levels of heavy metals,  mainly due to environmental and industrial factors. They are present in things that we come into contact with every day, such as aluminum cans and aluminum foil, batteries, metal cookware, old paint. Heavily metals get into the surroundings naturally and through human activity. 

Among the most commonly found heavy metals in waste are arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc, all of which are toxic to people and the environment. 

Among the most commonly found heavy metals in waste are arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc, all of which are toxic to people and the environment. 

How heavy metals affect your health

When your body absorbs these toxins, they build up inside, often causing toxicity signs and symptoms. If you think that you have metal toxicity, you’ve got it. We are all exposed to them. Often, we really do interpret it to be another illness. 

You’ll experience different symptoms of heavy metal toxicity depending on the metal you’ve been exposed to. Some acute symptoms include:

• headache
• nausea
• fatigue
• digestive distress
• mood swings
• vomiting
• abdominal pain. 

For some highly exposed people, symptoms include insomnia, brain fog, and systemic infections. 

Detox: Get rid of heavy metals

Knowing that heavy metal can enter our body through the water we drink and the food we eat, the best defense you can take is to change your diet. You should add more detoxifying foods to your diets, such as fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals. The nutrients in these foods protect you from heavy metals. 

Foods that aid removal of heavy metals

Several foods are effective in removing heavy metals and help in detoxification. 

Pectin-rich fruits and vegetables – Pectin is the soluble fiber present in various fruits and vegetables, is an incredibly affecting chelating agent. A recent study concluded that foods that contain pectin might increase the amount of lead expelled in the urine by up to 132 percent. These foods include apples, pears, citrus fruits, cabbage, grapes, beets, and carrots.

Foods rich in amino acids – These are natural chelating agents and, as such, are beneficial to anyone who has high levels of heavy metals in the body. Vegetarian sources of amino acids include, among others, the following: corn, whole grains, oatmeal, spinach, carrots, turnips, papayas, plums, grapes, and pomegranates.

Sulfur-rich foods- For the removal of lead and other heavy metals, health experts recommend sulfur-rich foods such as onions, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Garlic, a very effective chelating agent, as shown above, is also a sulfur-rich food. Opti-MSM supplements are great as well. 

Fiber-rich foods– Researchers have found that foods rich in fiber (such as fruits and bran in grains) could help remove heavy metals from the body. Researchers have found that fiber can help reduce mercury levels in the brain and blood.

Chlorella- Studies have shown that it increases the detoxification of mercury in mice. Chlorella can counteract the toxic, dangerous effects of heavy metals.  It encourages safe excretion of them from the body. 

Cilantro – Studies suggest that eating cilantro with other contaminated foods may reduce the amount of heavy metals ingested. Another study suggests that cilantro could increase mercury, lead, and aluminum excreted in the urine.

Some foods that get rid of heavy metals include garlic, wild blueberries, lemon water, spirulina, and green tea.  Furthermore, foods that have less nutritional value and slow down detoxification can be avoided such as processed foods and excess fats.

Also, one must observe just how precisely the Food & Drug Administration adheres to the safety limits for cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury since these are the compounds most likely to enter our food supply. 

Conclusion:  

As we’re all exposed to heavy metals daily, the best we can do to optimize our health and well-being is to have a balanced approach to foods to avoid foods that may contain multiple contaminants, such as fish. Furthermore, if you consume filtered water and buy organic and environmentally friendly products, you can avoid exposure.

On the one hand, if you have recurring symptoms, whether acute or severe, it’s wise to talk to a doctor or get a test to determine if heavy toxicity is the underlying issue. Certain supplements may also work to detoxify the body from heavy metals. 

Sources:  

1. Allen J, Montalto M, Lovejoy J, Weber W. Detoxification in naturopathic medicine: a survey. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Dec;17(12):1175-80. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0572. Epub 2011 Nov 21. PMID: 22103982; PMCID: PMC3239317.
2. Healthline. 2021. Do Detox Diets and Cleanses Really Work?. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/detox-diets-101#what-they-are> [Accessed 2 May 2021].
3. Klein AV, Kiat H. Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2015 Dec;28(6):675-86. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12286. Epub 2014 Dec 18. PMID: 25522674.

Our Top-Selling Detox Products